Best Snorkeling Experience

[soccermomrn]

I'm taveling with my almost 13 year old son. He is really into fish and wants to be a Marine Biologist. The thing he is most excited about is Snorkeling. Neither one of us has ever done this before!! We will be on the 4 night Wonder cruise July 18th. Please tell me the absolute best snorkeling experience to book!

Also, I've read a lot of good things about the Jet Ski Eco tour. How much is it and is it hard to get booked? It is my understanding that this is an excursion you can't pre-book?

Thanks so much for all your help!!

 

[MamaQuack]

I've just sent you a pm.

MamaQuack

 

[MamaKate]

I was also wondering what the best snorkeling on Nassau was. I heard the snorkeling on Castaway Cay was OK, but not that much sea life.

I have narrowed down to "Catamaran Sail & Reef Snorkeling" and "Caribbean Queen Snorkel Tour".

For anyone who has experienced any of these snorkeling excursions, could you please give your input. Was it worth it? Did you see alot of sea life?

I've never been snorkeling before and I want my first time to wow me.

Also, would anyone recommend any of these two for younger kids (8 & 9). My kids are good swimmers, but they've never been snorkeling before. I bought a snorkel set & we are practicing this summer.

Thanks!
,
Katie

 

[jwann]

Originally posted by MamaKate
I heard the snorkeling on Castaway Cay was OK, but not that much sea life.

I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more. We've been to CC twice and have seen TONS of fish, stingray, crabs, etc. The secret is to go FIRST thing in the morning and follow the entire trail. Take your time looking into all the holes and crevaces in the sunken treasures/habitats. First thing in the morning, the fish won't be spooked and the water won't be cloudy from all the swimmers.

Also, my 8-year old son really enjoyed the sting ray adventure at Blue Lagoon in Nassau. He, too, is a wanna-be scientist and wasn't scared of the rays at all. He even got to feed the stingrays - quite an experience!!!

 

[MamaKate]

Originally posted by jwann
I'm sorry but I couldn't disagree more. We've been to CC twice and have seen TONS of fish, stingray, crabs, etc. The secret is to go FIRST thing in the morning and follow the entire trail. Take your time looking into all the holes and crevaces in the sunken treasures/habitats. First thing in the morning, the fish won't be spooked and the water won't be cloudy from all the swimmers.

I'm glad to hear that. I had originally planned snorkeling only at CC (first thing in the morning), but after reading several reports of negative experiences and people saying to skip it, I thought I better book a snorkeling experience at Nassau just in case. Maybe all those people didn't go early in the morning??

I'm going to go ahead and do the snorkeling 1st thing at CC and experience it for myself.

Thanks!
Katie

 

[bobbiwoz]

OK, now, I'm looking forward to snorkeling on CC, but what about on Nassau. DH wants to stay on the ship, we're empty nesters, but I want to snorkel. Where should I go in Nassau?

Bobbi

 

[floridaminnie]

I've done the Catamaran Sail & Reef Snorkeling in Nassau and it was first class all around. The boat is clean, the crew friendly and the experience was perfect. We went to a reef with a ton of fish that came right up to you and the reef was breath taking. The waters were calm and clear. The reef was where they did one of the James Bond movies scenes. Would highly reccomend this excursion.

 

[kshabare]

You know, there aren't too many varieties at CC but it's a great experience just the same. We had fun. Several people had suggested bringing cheez whiz to spray in the water but that grossed me out.
If you can break to the adult beach for a while there are a few more types of fish there and some sting rays come in close too.
Have a good time - the next cruise to take him on is on the Western. There are the most beautiful fish I ever have seen. Just tell him this cruise is practice for bigger and brighter fish!

Kim

 

[musicgirl]

Another vote for the catamaran sail and reef. We had an awesome time last year, I can still hear my niece giggling in her snorkel at seeing all the fish!

Lorie

 

[soccermomrn]

Thanks everyone who replied! I've booked us on the Catamaran Sail & Reef!

Any comments on the Jet Ski Eco tour?

Thanks,

 

[CindyBeth]

**bump**

 

[ImNarek]

This one hasn't been mentioned, but is another great snorkeling option. The Seahorse Snorkel Adventure is a Castaway Cay excursion. Its an independent tour company. You board a catamarran that takes you out maybe a 20-30 minute trip to an amazing reef. SOOO many types of fish - Big, small & everything in between! And you can HEAR all of the barnacles click clacking in the water, and the coral! It was wonderful! And to top it off, you get a fun view of the ship and Castaway Cay (great photo op) on the return trip. We snorkeled in the snorkel lagoon in the morning, and did the catamarran trip in the afternoon.

I'd definitely do this one again!

Karen

 

[prymsu]

another great place in Nassau is Stuart's Cove, and the snorkeling here is awesome, and very reasonably priced. They pick you up at the dock and return you there and that is all included.

 

[vjeri]

Any comments on the Caribbean Queen Snorkel Tour? It's a little shorter and cheaper than the Catamaran Sail & Reef. I like that it is in the afternoon. Any reviews would be appreciated!

Jeri

 

[dbond]

We just did the Seahorse Catamaran snorkeling excursion on CC last week. It was very nice, we saw lots of fish and the reef was so vivid and full of life. It was a wonderful experience.